CAF Connects Spring 2015

In this edition of CAF Connects, our regular newsletter for corporates, we chat with Corporate Client Manager Lucy Mantella, talk about how a corporate foundation could help your company define its social value and take a look at how people give in this year's UK Giving report.

Designing social value in business

Corporate foundations are on the rise; there are over 140 in the UK alone. Businesses across all industries from retail and resources to professional and financial services are getting in on the act.

What is a Corporate Foundation?

There is no one size fits all model for setting up a corporate foundation as they all have different strategic approaches and structures. A foundation can be an independent entity, integrated within a business, or a hybrid of both. Funding can range from company annual budgets to endowments. But the one thing all corporate foundations have in common, which underpins their establishment, is a desire to maximise their impact for society and business.

Why set up a Corporate Foundation?

A foundation offers the opportunity to create a brand-aligned identity which can help a business focus its social purpose. It can enhance the business’ reputation, attract new partners and business opportunities and generate fresh insights through research into social needs. It also offers a clear governance for corporate responsibility programmes and opportunities for staff development.
A foundation enables a business to achieve greater social impact and creates a space and platform for social innovation.

Setting up a Foundation

Our expert perspective on responsible business and charity gives us a unique outlook when helping our corporate clients establish a foundation. In recent months our team had worked with clients to help them:

Focus their foundation strategy aligning business and social purpose.

Clarify their social aim and review the latest evidence on where and how our clients can make a difference.

What our clients say:

“As part of our 250th year celebrations, we wanted
to consolidate the support Brewin Dolphin has
given to charitable causes around the country.

With CAF’s support and advice we've established a Foundation
that demonstrates our national commitment to the wider
community and helps engage our employees across the
business.

By working with CAF, we were able to take a flexible approach
and identify the best structure, governance and focus to build on
our heritage and match our organisation's ethos. We're continuing
to work with CAF to develop key initiatives to ensure the
Foundation is successful, forward-thinking and relevant.”